As even the most novel of collectors knows, the usual dial color of vintage steel Speedmaster references is black. While this is a widely correct statement, there are in fact extremely few and highly sought-after exceptions to this rule: the famed colored dials, represented here by this exceptional blue dial Speedmaster ref. 105.003.

While these dials are without a doubt Omega creations, and were mounted in watches that were subsequently put on the market, their genesis is still shrouded in mystery. Scholars have put forward two options: either they were made following a special request, or they were prototypes which did not make it into mass production but were eventually used rather than being discarded. Whatever their origin, they are now considered by Speedmaster collectors “endgame” pieces, on the same level as the fabled “Big Arrow” reference 2915, in virtue of the outstandingly different aesthetic impact they impart to the timepiece, absolute rarity - with a possible total output between 5 and 10 examples - and, consequently, paramount collectability.

The present example, confirmed as being born with “blue/grey (dial) with luminous indexes” by the manufacturer, arrives to us in extremely appealing condition and, incredibly, complete with its original International Guarantee booklet stamped by Mexico City retailer “La Esmeralda” and dated May 18, 1964. Interestingly, the Extract from the Archives confirms the country of destination but it mentions a sale date 4 months later than the one mentioned on the original warranty. This riddle was solved thanks to the assistance of Omega: as it turns out, they marked in their books the watch as sold only once they received the payment. It then makes perfect sense that the “Archives Date” is later than the one on the Guarantee.

It is worth noting that the market has seen blue Speedmaster dials in different configurations: with or without the Ts next to the “Swiss Made” designation, with short indexes or long indexes cutting through the fifth of a second divisions, and finally, with or without the “Professional” designation. The present configuration is exactly as the one described and illustrated in Moonwatch Only (2014 edition), page 460: with short luminous indexes, “T Swiss Made T” designation and without the “Professional” designation. An outstandingly rare and attractive gem, the likes of which may need many years to reappear on the market, this highly unusual Speedmaster perfectly exemplifies what keeps collectors coming back to this wonderful and iconic chronograph.

Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.

Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.